ALL 94-98 12 VALVERS PLEASE READ ASAP

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TO ALL OWNERS,

In December of 1999 my wife was nearly involved in a bad accident when a faulty throttle cable frayed & jammed the throttle stuck, causing a runaway condition. I filed a report with DC & the NHTSB. I have just received a call from an investigator with the NHTSB as they have received other similar reports & they are stepping up investigations due in part to some well publicized tire issues on some SUV's. I posted this topic some time back and received responses from other TDR members with similar experiences.

The investigator is in the process of trying to build a case for a recall. So far DC has issued no service bullitins addressing this problem & as those of us who have had ours repaired know, the offending part has been redesigned. This is one way the manufacturers get around the cost of a recall.

If you are a 94-98 12 valver,and have not replaced this part yet, please inspect ASAP. All owners who have replaced or have similar stories should E-mail Mr. Frank Borris,(frank. borris@nhtsa. dot.gov)or call him at (888) 327-4236 (Hotline). If a recall is required DC will have to replace the part at no cost to the owner. Those of us who have already paid can request a re-imbursment from DC. Your help will be greatly appreciated. This affects the safety of all of us.

Thank You


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96,longbed,clubcab,driftwood,custom bumper,K & N Filter, Filter Engineering Remote Fuel Filter & Coolant Filter,Scotty Air,4" from KAT be gone,4" Dynomax race magnum

 

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I'm with you on that problem. I took my truck in for the light switch recall and during the discussion of where the mech. was going to install the relay I noticed the frayed cable. I showed it to him and he said that was a common problem with our trucks. Needless to say I called DC and complained resulting in a free replacement. However to get my truck back I had to pay 15 minutes of labor time. That frosted me a little. I recommended my friend [96] look at his cable and it also was frayed. He yelled louder and got it replaced free. It seems that it starts to fray at 60k.

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Jim

 

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I've had a problem with a sticky throttle. I do not believe the dealer said it was the cable. I think he said it was linkage. They did it under warranty, and said there was a TSB on it. (first dealer couldn't find any problem)
Caused more than a few gray hairs, I'll tell you that.
You could see my mileage in the sig. I'll be under the hood tomorrow!!

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98 Quad cab 4X4 2500 12 valve,5 speed,3. 54 rears, 8' bed. Boost and egt gauges but basicly stock except for a "properly adjusted" AFC. 55,000 Mi as of 8/21/00.
NRA life member. High power/IDPA.

 

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I replaced my throttle cable last month. Oddly enough, no signs of fraying.

If the throttle sticks, Don`t panic. Just turn the ignition off. #ad


Now I can`t find the damn recipt for the cable!

[This message has been edited by HEMI®Dart (edited 09-18-2000). ]

 

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Originally posted by HEMI®Dart:
If the throttle sticks, Don`t panic. Just turn the ignition off. #ad

<font color=blue> And if turning the igniton off doesn't stop it, you might want to start worrying slightly at this point #ad

 

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Originally posted by KatDiesel:

<font color=blue> And if turning the igniton off doesn't stop it, you might want to start worrying slightly at this point #ad

But only worry slightly; since it isn't a *true* runaway, the governor will limit the engine to around 3K RPM (is 'high idle' the correct term?). And one should have enough time to pinch off the post-turbo tube or find the relay and manually shut off the fuel, or squirt some halon into the intake.

Of course, if the engine keeps speeding up, it probably *is* a true runaway, and one had best do the same, to the rear of the truck and beyond, until the engine has finished blowing up and the parts have returned to Earth!

Fest3er

 

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If you still are thinking at this point slip it into Neutral and coast to a stop with the engine screaming. It wont hurt it a bit. Call DC and tell them to come get it before it runs out of fuel.

 

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Or put it into 5th and slam on the brakes, and dont let off, also try using the parkin brake or aim for somethng hard. When the airbag goes off, it shuts the engine off, unless its runnin off something other than diesel.
Or better yet, turn the key off.

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1996 2500 ST regular cab,long bed, 4x4, 5 speed, Rhino Liner Scotty Air, Isspro gauges, boost elbo, pipe cleaner used on cat
-- email address removed -- Great Lakes TDR
PURDUE STUDENT 
GO
BOILERS

Dodge Makes it
Cummins Shakes it

 

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I noticed a lot of postings on this problem and decided to explain where the cable frays. The cable is visible at the linkage group next to the injection pump and is the outboard cable. The cable appears to be made of stainless steel and shows about 3inches out of its jacket. Both trucks I've looked at had the cable frayed at this point. Wire cable strands that are broken will develop a fish hook and thats when the problem gets serious. Do yourself a favor and inspect.

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Jim

 

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I'm surprised that it wasn't recalled long ago. Mine got stuck open wide open while passing on a two lane road,I was going 95 mph when I shut it down and coasted to the side. I filed a complant with the NHTSB in '97. I replaced it myself,$27 if I remember right,knew right away Dodge was aware of the problem otherwise the new cable would have been $97.

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95' 25004X4,AT,Driftwood,Banks,Warn fender flairs and running boards(Play truck)95 3500,5 speed,driftwood,Banks&phscotty,34,000 GCVW apple and tractor hauler(work truck)

 

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Gang, Keep up the good work. we are making some progress here. Please E-mail your stories to the NHTSA investigator listed. If we don't get this recalled, some poor unsuspecting TDR member may not be so lucky.

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96,longbed,clubcab,driftwood,custom bumper,K & N Filter, Filter Engineering Remote Fuel Filter & Coolant Filter,Scotty Air,4" from KAT be gone,4" Dynomax race magnum

 

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I honestly think that there should be a question (not multiple choice!) about this situation on every drivers test. I am not trying to say that DC is not responsibe for correcting known safety issues, but this is a problem that could potentially happen in any vehicle.

A couple years ago, there was a serious accident a few miles south of my home near Denver. A woman driving one of the larger (24' box) rental trucks (Ryder/U-Haul type) was heading north on I-25 towards Denver. Somewhere around Castle Rock, the throttle on the truck stuck wide open. Her response was to use the brakes. She continued on for several miles, by which time the brakes were of course completely useless, until she approached the normal rush hour traffic closer to Denver. She slammed into the car in front of her, I don't remember for sure if anyone was killed (I think they were), but I know they were at least seriously injured. It had never even occured to the driver of the rental truck to turn the truck off or shift to nuetral. (Even if the engine does blow, who cares?) As I recall, there was a big lawsuit involving the rental company and the truck manufacturer, but why no charges were filed against the driver for criminal stupidity is beyond me. Sorry about the somewhat off-topic rant, it just irritates me when innocent people are injured or killed due to others' ignorance.

By the way, thanks, albacore44, for the tip, I'll be sure to check my cable (80K miles).

Pete

 

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howdy-all,,,,I've got one of the last 12-valvers (truck assembled Oct 97)----no sign of fraying... am I just lucky, or was the redesigned cable being installed before the beginning of the overvalved era?--- How can a guy tell/identify the cable old or new, in case..... or was the redesign made after all the production?

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BOMBed 98. 4 1B7KF23D4WJxxxxxx-- BD's #5 plate and x-honed injectors--BD Brake and the associated transmission bomb goodies (except for TC,currently). . many homemade non-power accessories, 4" open exhaust(short)... big hole and old Scotty Air system(will eventually get Psychotty cannon, I suspect) camper shell, Warn front receiver, G159Unisteels on Rickson 19. 5's. . CD player is bone stock, so are the seats. PrimeLoc, also remote spin-on filter for the auto trans... Pyro Boost and Trans temp from Isspro,
Westin nerf rails(black),
bent welding rod to hang celphone on dashboard...

 

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I too have a 97 3500 and everytime I see a post about the the cable problem I run out and check mine, after 80k I still see no problem with the cable. Maybe somebody could post some rev. 1 and rev. 2 pictures of this cable, anyone?



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Rory
97' 3500 CC 4x2
Cummins,TSTed Auto, Bright
White / Spruce  Int.

 

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Just looked at mine this weekend. Time for a new one. Noticed a couple strands broken when I bought it 3 years ago, kept an eye on it, badly deteriorated in the last few weeks... .
So, do you think they will reimburse for the headlight switch I already installed?

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'94 3500 4x4, 201,000 miles, Never had a cat, Auto w/shift kit (currently under remodification), 3. 54 Gears, TST #5 plate, 235-85-16s, Rancho 9000s w/remote, Isspro gauges inplace of cupholder & Amsoil Bumper to Bumper. NRA member.
"Warrantee? We don't need no stinking warrantee!"

 

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Replaced mine at 110K, very frayed. I don't have any before and after pics, but it's real easy to see the difference. If you can see ANY steel strands, it's the old one. The new one is completely shrouded by a plastic sleeve.

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'96 Regular Cab, 110K, SLT, auto, 3. 54, Vista topper, Pillar-mounted Autometer Boost/Pyro, starwheel spun

 

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Originally posted by Jim Guidry:
Replaced mine at 110K, very frayed. I don't have any before and after pics, but it's real easy to see the difference. If you can see ANY steel strands, it's the old one. The new one is completely shrouded by a plastic sleeve.

I've got an "oldie" then. . still looks good, but will keep an "I" on it---thanks for verbal descr. of the design difference---rm

 

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I had a bit of a scare a couple of months ago when accelerating onto the interstate. I pushed down on the loud pedal with great authority and the truck quickly got up to speed, shifting through the gears and then locking up the t/c. The problem came when I pulled my foot back off the floorboard and the pedal stayed there. Trying to pull it up with my toe didn't work; now pushing 85 and coming up on some slower traffic. Pushing the brake pedal with both feet slowed the truck a little, but I was suprised at how strong the motor was. I finally (and quickly) got things unstuck by trying the toe-method again. Checking the throttle cable found it frayed about halfway through right at the point where the cable sheathing ends. The new one that I put on has a thinner plastic cover that protects the wire from the edge of the sheath. I'll email this G-man, albacore, and see if a refund is in order.

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95 2500 SLT, clubcab, 2wd, longbed, a/t, 3. 54, 132K miles, "all the usual refinements"

 

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Fortunate 1, That sounds exactly what my wife described as called me frantic on the Cell Phone. She had exited the 15 freeway on her way to do some Christmas shopping. I told her to calm down & shut off the key and pull over, which she did. This is a very dangerous situation. Glad to see your still alive

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96,longbed,clubcab,driftwood,custom bumper,K & N Filter, Filter Engineering Remote Fuel Filter & Coolant Filter,Scotty Air,4" from KAT be gone,4" Dynomax race magnum

 

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Have any of you guys installed the revised cable? I did no problem yet.